Does the new M3/M4 need more power?

The new BMW M3 and M4 from BMW M saw the return to a six-inline engine configuration, as used on the second and third generations …

The new BMW M3 and M4 from BMW M saw the return to a six-inline engine configuration, as used on the second and third generations of this iconic sports car. The new engine sees a slight power upgrade over the previous V8 to approximately 425 hp, while peak torque has been increased by well over 30 percent to substantially more than 500 Newton meters (406 lb-ft), and is maintained over a very wide rev band. The engine also has a redline above 7,500 rpm.

BMW owners praise their new Ms for the power delivery, performance on the track and fuel efficiency, yet some wonder whether more power would have made the M3/M4 an even better performer. It’s well known that BMW underrates their engines’ output, so when put on the dynojet, the new Ms tend to show significant more power.

Some of us are sentimental about the previous generation M3 and its amazing V8 naturally-aspirated engine. While it delivered less power (414 hp), the amazing sound note and performance on the track has turned it into an icon. But overall, the new generation M3/M4 are better machines all-around, despite losing “in the horsepower war” with its competitors.

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG delivers 469 horsepower while the Audi RS5 outputs 450 horsepower. Bragging rights might not be important to BMW, but car owners are often caught in the horsepower debate. Future M3/M4 models, like the M4 CSL, are rumored to deliver around 500 horsepower so we know there is room for more in the standard cars.

But will higher-rated engines be too much too handle? We’ve already seen quite a few M3/M4 crashes where the enthusiastic drivers stepped too much on the pedal and the cars spun out of control. By any standards, 425 hp is still a high number in a street car, so maybe BMW engineers found this to be the perfect balance.

We turn this to you and ask: Should have BMW tuned their new engines a bit higher?

I like the ferrari approach were they limit the torque on lower revs and increase it eith revs to get a naturally aspirated feel of the engine.
The current engine could be decreased a bit at low rpm and increased at higher rpm.
but I don’t think the current engine needs more torque.

This seems like a logical, interesting and good as far as suggestions are concerned. The better power delivery might as well be developed by including electric motors, but that may be off the grid for the BMW M3 and BMW M4 as well.

I personally think that these cars are perfect the way they are. Their size relates to their power output accordingly and show it when they get tested against other cars in their class. The m3/m4 downright outperform the competition because, again, hp isn’t the tell all of a car.

I had a fbo 335 producing north of 450hp and 440tq..traded it in for a e90 m3 with less power, but the m3 performs 100x better than my 335 did. It’s a significantly better all around car and everything works well together.

The m3/m4 have trashed on the RC F and the Audi rs5 on tests, and preliminary reviews say the m3 feels better than the c63. All cars with more hp than the m3/m4. Again, it’s not all about power. That’s just a bragging right, nothing more.

M4 don’t need more power. They already have plenty and it’s difficult to use all the potential with rear wheel drive anyway if the environment isn’t perffect like whether etc.I have few M cars including M4 and this car is actually best when u use sport settings instead of sport plus. What it means is u don’t use all the potential when u want to enjoy it mostly. On the track yes u can and u should use all but how many M cars are driven on track. Most of a time is daily/ weekly drivers car.
Other M cars like M5 or M6 not mention X6M or X5M cars are much better when u use all power . They behave much better using top settings in everyday driving one of the reason is weight but that’s for another story i belive.

Been driving my F80 M3 for over 3 months, all i have to say is ‘its perfect’. If you need more power on em just get a simple stage 1 tune or a stage 2 tune with downpipes (90whp+-). Dont forget to get the additional carbon fiber parts too :P

I’ve also done a highway pull with a few cars i.e.: GT500, 2015 5.0 mustang, 2011 335i (Tuned). the only car that managed to pull slightly way was the GT500